the clerk: washington d.c., december 10, 2012. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable patrick leahy, a senator from the state of vermont, to perform the duties of the chair. signed: daniel k. inouye, president pro tempore. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: under the -- mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senate majority leader. mr. reid: mr. president, first of all, it's very unusual to have one of the most senior members of the senate presiding, and especially at this time of the day. i would say to my friend, this is how you've conducted yourself all the time you've been in the senate. we had a little emergency here today. the senator that was expected to be here, because of the fog that we have around the eastern part of the united states, was unable to be here. and you agreed to come. this is, i say toefrpb -- to everyone here the people of vermont are so fortunate to have the longest-serving senator from verm